Day Trippin' : Back in time at Blackwater

Saturday

Jun 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM

Back in the day, Blackwater was a cowboy’s kind-of-town.

Norine Albers

Back in the day, Blackwater was a cowboy’s kind-of-town. Arriving in the restored community of Blackwater the yesteryear-attitude of peace and quiet is apparent. The town reflects a stillness and contentment that has long been lost throughout the decades of time. Remaining in the center of the street is the original town well. A windmill casually turns to mark the location. In 1990 only four businesses were left in the town, but that has all changed after much work, donations, grants, and local bonds have restored the old town.
Peace, quiet, abounding flora, and vintage shops reflect a past era that greet the visitor... except when the South Fork Regulators come to town! To keep history alive the historic community welcomes The South Fork Regulators to Historic Blackwater. The Central Missouri re-enactors bring old-west history to life on the second Saturday of each month, April through October. The group specializes in living history events, school presentations, gunfight recreations and chuck wagon cooking.
Blackwater was founded in 1887 and is on the National Historic Register. The town was born on the Missouri Pacific Railroad route known as the “River Route” that connected Kansas City with Jefferson City. Blackwater was a refueling station. The old Depot has been replicated and is a community center.
The visitor to Blackwater will find several antique and collectible stores, restaurants, and the Telephone Museum that is housed in a vintage bank building. The 1800’s Prairie Lawn Country School has several original tin patterns within the walls and ceilings of the building. The Iron Horse Hotel and Restaurant has been restored to its former glory. The West End Theater resides in a 1905 church. Some storekeepers and local citizens sit outside on the sidewalk, peacefully, visiting in the cool of the shadows of their storefront shops.
Visit the Bucksnort Trading Company were the western shoot-out is performed. The 1890's store includes, living history clothing, patterns and supplies for Mountain men, Civil War, and 1880's cowboys. Select from Native American textiles, rugs and saddle blankets. Enjoy a variety of hand-woven baskets, carved wooden baskets, bowls and walking canes. Try on retro hats, shop for unique Silver and Turquoise jewelry as well as several original art works and prints, books, music, and even buffalo hides.
Visitors will find much to do in this cowboy-kind-of-town including many free attractions. Blackwater can easily be found by entering Interstate I-70 West at Boonville’s 101 entry ramp, and exiting at the 89 Mile Marker exit (about 10 minutes). Follow signs three miles to historic Blackwater. A reflection in time can be visited in Blackwater and is within one hundred miles from the lake area. Travelers can check out the website at http://www.blackwater--mo.com and the Regulators at www.southforkregulators.org.

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